My Soul to Keep (The Soul Keeper Series - Young Adult Paranormal Romance)

by Solis, Melissa

  “Why don't you go for a swim in the ocean?” I whisper in your ear. It will make you feel better. You love the ocean so much. That's it, good girl. I like that you listen to me. Others I have kept have not been so well in tune with my voice but you hear even my whispers. The water takes you in its arms as I would, embracing your light and joy. It dances around you. Even a dolphin nearby is aware of your presence in the water. He swims near you. I think he likes you. What fascinating creatures. ~

  This whole book is nothing but his thoughts captured in time. He spent every waking minute with me for seventeen years. What is stranger is seeing my life through his eyes. I see how sad and miserable I have been since I lost my dad. I remember swimming in the ocean that day. I remember how it became sort of a ritual for me. He didn't even know why he was protecting me. I was just some random little girl, but he guarded me with a fierceness that would be better suited for royalty than my sorted past. I read about other attacks and how easily he fended them off. I find an entry about the day the Lexus was totaled.

  ~ October 26, 2012 Journal of E.M~

  ~ Your driving has me apprehensive on a good day. Freeways and young drivers, it’s so easy for the demons to flick these little death traps into one another and cause so much havoc. I hate that you have to get on one every day to get to your school. Is it really intelligent to apply make-up while going seventy miles per hour, after all your lips are already perfect? You reached down to the radio and put on a better song. Cold Play sings they will fix you. I told you to “sing” and you did. You hear me so easily, good girl. You have a lovely voice, like the chime of a silver bell, especially when you giggle. That is my favorite sound in the whole world.

  Today of all days, your tire went flat. I had to grab the steering wheel when it popped or you would have hit the wall. I flew out of the car to see if they were responsible, and found them soaring down the highway at lightening speeds. They're up to something or they would have disappeared already. Miles down the road, I saw him. Malphas himself was leading the attack. The demon glided up to the roof of a semi-truck and blew carbon monoxide into the cab. The truck driver is going to lose consciousness and cause a deadly accident. Malphas commands forty legions of demons in hell. I could have stopped him but they would have just send in a replacement. I had a split second to decide my course of action.

  I flew back to you just in time to disable the OnStar system because I had to get you out of that car. I knew the truck was coming for you specifically; the president of hell doesn’t come out to play for just anyone. And if you didn't get out quickly I would have had to blow my cover and carry you out. But that would likely get us both killed so that was not much of an option. “Get out Brennen.” Finally you heard me; you gave up and got out. I wrapped my wings around you as the debris aimed its gnarly fangs at you. Once you were safe from harm, I went after the demons. Their commander had already fled. However, I was able to catch a pair of them by their wings. I tore them apart like confetti, wanting to convey a serious message to any future endeavors. I crushed their beaks into powder and blew it all straight into hell.

  I flew back to you just as my phone is buzzed in my pocket, it was you, how about that!

  Your voice was shaky and full of angst.

  I told you I could be there in two minutes and asked if you were okay. Of course, I knew you are okay. I was circling right above you. From up there I also saw that I was careless. I had left the field of debris completely intact. It was obvious. I hope you didn't notice it, which is the last thing I need. My only mission aside from protecting you was to get you to trust me. I already felt like I was hanging on to you by a thread.

  I closed my eyes and when I opened them I was pulling up to the accident site in my Camaro. I saw you were very shaken up. I pulled you into me and held you there. I could feel you melt into my arms. You are powerless against me aren't you?

  You mumbled something about a purple flower, before collapsing in my arms. No one was looking when I slipped you into my car. You were so serene laying there, you looked like an angel. Thank goodness the driver wasn't hurt. How many more people will shed blood for this mission? I have got to get more information out of Nehemiah.

  When you woke up I tried to distract you with the only thing that seems to render you incapable of anger, my smile. And it worked for a moment but then you start drilling me with questions. You are so adorable when you get all riled up. I pretended to grow angry and it worked, you stopped the interrogation. I’ll have to make it up to you tomorrow night at the party. ~

  Wow, Elijah has so many powers I cannot even begin to understand what he just did. The president of hell is my lead assassin, isn’t that just my luck? How did he blink himself a real car? How does his cell phone work if he is invisible? I just remember accosting him after the accident. I feel horrible for not trusting his intentions now. Why couldn't I just leave things alone? And now he is gone. In all likeliness they have banished him. That weighs on my conscious. I am drained though I can't sleep in this strange house and strange bed, especially knowing what’s after me. All night I toss and turn. My mind just won't shut off. Finally, I fall asleep at four in the morning. Too few hours later the alarm on my phone plays, “Wake me up when September Ends”. It never ends for me, I think, before hitting the off button.

  I am meeting with the insurance company at eight. I have no clothes. I take a walk in Elijah's expansive closet. His clothes hang in neat color coded rows, really? I never pegged him for the anal retentive type, but here lies the irrefutable evidence. I put Emily's sweats back on.

  After meeting with the insurance adjuster and the contractor I learn that the repairs will take months. I don't know how long I can stay at Elijah's house, what sort of divine lease agreement he holds. I suppose if something goes wrong there's always Em's. It's noon when I pull my car out of the garage. I have got to go shopping for some clothes. At least the insurance will pay for all of the losses. I will end up having to replace all of the upholstered furniture, rugs, drapes; the list went on and on. I never really thought about how much care my grandmother took making the house into a home and now I am faced with the challenge. I have to bring her all of the forms to sign later today as well. I wonder how that conversation will play out.

  I spend the rest of the afternoon shopping. Grateful for the reprieve it brings from my heartache. My car is filled with bags in no time at all. I stop by to visit with Grandma and bring her some soup from the cafe around the corner.

  “Hey Grandma, how are you?”

  “You are my granddaughter?”

  “Yes I'm Brennen, William's daughter.” My grandmother eyes me suspiciously.

  “Here I brought dinner, would you like some chicken noodle soup?”

  “That sounds good, thank you.” I take the containers out of the bag and set them on her small table. She walks over and sits.

  “Grandma, I have some bad news to tell you.” She looks up at me and I take a deep breath, worried about how she is going to handle the news.

  “Last night there was a fire in your beach house. It was badly damaged, but they are going to start working on it tomorrow. It will be good as new soon enough.” She sips on her soup and at first I don't even know if she heard a word I said. Finally she looks up at me.

  “No dear I don’t live on the beach, you must have me confused with someone else. I do sincerely hope no one was injured. I will say a pray for them tonight.” She goes back to eating her soup.

  “Grandma, maybe you don’t remember this but you bought this house back when your son William was first stationed in Virginia.” How am I going to get her to sign these documents for a house she doesn’t believe is hers?

  “It's just stuff Brennen, it can all be replaced. You are the only thing precious in that house.” Wow, I don't know what it is about homemade soup, but I’m positive it has its own magical properties. I quickly have her sign her name before she regresses.

  ***

  Back at Elijah's house, I
unpack all of my shopping bags and find the other half of his dresser is empty. I leave his belongings exactly as I found them, like they have the supernatural power to bring him back.

  I familiarize myself with his kitchen. His cabinets are full of gourmet foods, expensive chocolates, Mexican vanilla, and truffle oil. I wonder if this has anything to do with my four year obsession with the Food Network channel, watching me, watch TV, now that had to be boring. There isn’t a frozen meal or can of processed soup in sight. Okay this could be a good thing. When I am stressed I cook and right now it’s no exception.

  Four hours later I have eight dozen muffins made from scratch: blueberry, pumpkin chocolate chip, lemon poppy, and white chocolate chip coconut, plus a batch of chocolate chip cookies I am about to pull out of the oven. I bet I still don’t smell like half of the confectionary concoction as Elijah did.

  I plop on the sofa with a plate of warm cookies and dial Emily’s number.

  “Hey Bren, what’s up?

  “Oh Emily, I think I have to break up with Sam.”

  “What, why?”

  “Because I think I am in love with Elijah and it's not fair to Sam.”

  “Wow I can't believe you finally admitted it.” Her comment takes me aback.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Brennen, you have been smitten with Elijah since the first day of school, you two couldn't fool a blind, deaf, mute.”

  “What should I do about Sam? He told me at the dance he was falling in love with me.”

  “That boy is head over heels for you Brennen. You’d better talk to him, and if you do end things with him, be gentle, he's a good guy.” Emily hangs up the phone on that note. I stare at my screen in disbelief. She never says goodbye.

  ***

  Sam joins me under our tree for lunch. Emily has made up an excuse for us to be alone for this picnic. Sam hasn’t spoken to me at all today. He’s just scanning the grounds, quietly people watching and snacking on a bag of Doritos and Dr. Pepper. He crosses his outstretched legs as he leans back on his elbows. This quite reserve is so out of character for him.

  “Do you want to come over for dinner tomorrow?” I ask. I feel like my somber mood is contagious.

  “I'd like that, are you sure you’re up for company?”

  “Yes, I'll make some spaghetti.”

  “Sounds good.” His phone rings and he says hello, I gather from the one sided conversation that it's one of his twin sisters. They are talking about the ranch and plans for dinner, he lets her know what time he'll be home and promises to help her with her math homework. He is so sweet, I feel awful for what I'm about to do to him.

  ***

  After a long day at school and after that, my SAT prep class, I finally pull into Elijah’s drive way. Sam and I only made small talk again today and I suspect from his lack of boyish smile in general that he knows the intention of the conversation about to transpire between us this evening. I noticed the blue tarps on the roof at my house, and I suppose I should check on their progress, although they said they would be at it for months, I can’t help but hope it will be ready in time for Christmas. I change into a comfy cotton shirt dress and busy myself in the kitchen. The doorbell rings and my heart sinks down to my toes. Butterflies swarm inside, I have never dumped anyone before and Sam is so good hearted. A small part of me wonders if I am making a mistake.

  “Hi.” I reach way up and hug his neck. And he hugs my waist. I turn quickly and head back to the kitchen as I feel a tear being born. “Come on in, make yourself at home.”

  Sam offers to stir the beef as it browns. I cut a tomato up to add freshness to the store bought sauce. I grab some fresh basil from the little window herb garden Elijah must have planted. Sam takes his place behind me and hugs me. He puts his nose down to my hair and inhales. He lets out a little mm sound before kissing my head. I sigh, hating my life. Sam leaves the kitchen. I put all of my ingredients in the sauce pan and stir. The noodles bubble away as I ready the colander in the sink. I set out a couple of place mats at the bar and get two pasta bowls ready. I am not sure where Sam has wandered to but he returns a few minutes later just as I serve his plate.

  “Smells delicious.”

  “Thank you, I hope you enjoy it.”

  “Did you love him?” His question catches me off guard and I drop the forks.

  “Who?” I ask while retrieving the cutlery.

  “Elijah? Did you love him?” he asks, his tone thick with animosity.

  “Sam, that's what I wanted to talk to you about tonight.” I stand opposite the counter from him and stare into his hurt fill eyes, which are quickly morphing into furious daggers.

  “Are you breaking up with me?” His stature is large and looming. I have never seen this side of him. Maybe a more public place would have been a better choice. I feel about two inches tall under a mighty pine.

  “Sam, I really like you, but I did fall for E...” Sam interrupts me before I can even finish.

  “What, I… I thought… you liked me,” he says sounding more like a spoiled child’s tantrum than the gentle cowboy I know him as. I had never wished I could go back in time more in my life than right then. I would have never led Sam on.

  “I do like you Sam, I like you a lot, but I like Elijah too.”

  “So what are you saying, Bren? Who do you want?”

  “Elijah’s gone and… I just don’t want to lie to you about my feelings.”

  “Lie to me?” he seethes, and at that moment, he stood up as if he’d been struck by lightning.

  “If you think that I am gonna let you choose that jerk over me you are mistaken.” His voice is monstrous and his eyes flash with pure rage. Sam’s face doesn‘t even look like his own, his eyes fill with animosity like he hates me, loathes me, like he wants me dead. I cringe away from him but I’m frozen, too scared to run. He rushes over to me grabbing me by my arms and pulling me off my feet. My feet kick out, trying desperately to find the ground.

  “Ow, Sam you’re hurting me.” My voice so small I sound like a child. I am so overcome with shock in that one instant I don’t know what to do. Scream you have to scream! My brain is telling my mouth.

  He drags me into the living room and throws me forcefully down onto the sofa. I try and run but he pushes me back down, putting his full weight on me, and knocking the air out of me at the same time.

  “Sam, stop!” He pins my arms above my head with both hands and he kisses my lips forcefully. I turn my head away. My heart is pounding out of my chest as I struggle to get free.

  “Stop, why are you doing this?” I tried to scream but my voice was gone and I couldn‘t get anything out above a low whisper. His eyes are so full of hate that his face is contorted into a veined stone. He moves his hands so that he holds both of my wrists with one hand and his other is free. He lifts my dress, and I immediately knew his intentions, fear floods my body. No!

  “Please stop Sam, stop it. Let me go.” My face is wet with tears and my hair is plastered to my face in many places. I try to kick but he is sitting on my legs. A slow menacing smile begins to cross his face. I have got to get away. I never thought he could do something like this. Not sweet Sam with two little sisters at home. His usual expressive brown eyes are now like molten lava, searing into mine as if confirming the fact he is terrifying the holy living shit out of me.

  “Where’s Elijah now, Brennen? You are gonna wish that fire killed you by the time we’re through with you,” he taunts. This is not Sam, my brain realizes as his hand reaches up and shreds my panties with one easy swipe. No!

  “Ahh!” finally a scream leaves my throat, a raw desperate plea for help as I fight him with every muscle in my body.

  “What no Keeper to save your pretty little soul now? Did you really think they’d give you one forever?” He claws my thigh with his nails leaving a trail of red stripes all the way down to my knee. I cry out in pain and struggle relentlessly to get out of his grasp. My father’s voice calls out to me reminding me of what h
e taught me. I manage a knee to the groin and he just grins but he was at least caught off guard and I pull one arm free and shove the heel of my hand up toward his nose. He catches it before it strikes and bends my wrist back painfully.

  Just then, a man appears next to us out of nowhere, grabbing Sam by the neck and throwing him against the wall with such brute force, the wall cracks. Sam lies crumpled at the stranger’s feet. He turns to check on me.

  “Are you okay Brennen, did he hurt you?” I shake my head pulling my knees to my chest, trembling uncontrollably. Adrenalin ebbs into my fingers, running out its course. Who was this guy? He was easily 6'4 and built like a Mac truck, dark skin, black as coal, and pale golden eyes make him even more of a sight to behold.

  “My name is Will by the way, I'm your new Keeper.” Will lifts Sam off the floor pinning him against the wall while choking him. He is tactical in his movements. “I don’t ever want to see your face near her again. Do you understand me? I will kill you.” I watch as the scene plays out like a movie that isn’t real. I see Will’s mouth moving like he’s talking in high speed but I can’t hear any words at first, I look closer. Sam was fighting, clawing at Will’s hand on his neck. However, it looked like he was hurting himself more than anything. Then I’m sure I can make out one word distinctly out of Will's trembling lips…demon. Oh my God, I knew it, he’s performing an exorcism. When he stopped, Sam’s rage left him and he went as limp as a rag doll, he slides down the wall, lifeless. Is he dead? Some part of me wants to go to him. My hand is outstretched reaching for him.

  I am motionless on my sofa, still encompassed in shock. All of a sudden, I feel a strong pair of hands lifting me up by my torso. Pain tore from my ribs as the unseen force crushes in, I’m in midair when I look to Will for help, it all happened so fast. I’m so scared in that brief moment the only sound I make is the squeak of air I have left being extruded from my lungs. In the next instant, the cold hands violently throw me towards the wall on the other side of the room. I hit the wall hard, with such force that it knocks the wind out of me and my head cracks against the wall. I see a fuzzy image of Sam haphazardly running out the front door before the light dims and my world goes black.